It looks to me like the US is going to win the Ryder Cup and there are only two reasons. The first is the absence of Tiger Woods from the US team. The second is the absence of Colin Montgomerie from the European team.
First Tiger Woods is the most intimidating player in golf. He spends the entire year beating up on the American team then shows up to compete as a teammate in the Ryder Cup. It doesn't work too well and Tiger, with his intensity, seems to not make a lot of friends out here. The team, as they do all season long when Tiger is around, tightens up. The Europeans don't knowing they can still win even if Tiger takes a maximum five points, and, other than Sergio Garcia, no Europeans play in fear of Tiger in major championships. Names like Els, Sabbatini, Ames, and Goosen are on the President's Cup teams that Tiger kills because he doesn't like those guys. Also, Tiger has not been partnered correctly in a Ryder Cup pairs match since he was inexperienced rookie in 1997.
Second, Monty isn't playing. Don't discount this. Monty is the second best Ryder Cup player in European history behind only team captain Nick Faldo. While he has struggled in majors, he brings his best game to the Ryder Cup. Without Monty, there is the possibility that nobody else steps up to lead the Europeans this year.
All of this means I think the United States will finally regain the Ryder Cup, but it will be close. We'll call it 15-13
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